New Nittany Lions coach to speak at Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter dinner

Bill O'Brien, the newly named head football coach at Penn State University, will be the featured speaker at the Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter's annual Penn State Night dinner event on May 10.  This event will feature Coach O'Brien, as well as the presentation of the Chapter's Penn State Alumni Association's 2012 Alumnus of the Year Award to Clarks Summit resident and longtime educator and coach, Nick Donato. 

This will be the first local appearance of the former NFL coach and first-year head coach at Penn State, since he was appointed in January.  Coach O'Brien is expected to draw an overflow crowd as he will share his vision about the future of the storied Penn State football program in the post-Paterno era. 

The 2012 Alumnus of the Year, Nick Donato, worked for 35 years in the North Pocono school district as a teacher and guidance counselor.  Mr. Donato coached high school football locally for over 25 years, leading the North Pocono program for 16 years and winning six championships.  Mr. Donato has been an active member of the Abington community and is currently the head football coach at Scranton Prep.  

Penn State Night is the highlight of the year for the Greater Scranton Chapter of the Alumni Association.  The chapter, with over 250 members, is a not-for-profit organization that links local alumni and friends of Penn State through community activities, chapter events and fundraising projects.  The chapter supports the mission of Penn State by striving to improve the well-being and health of our community through service and support of the Worthington Scranton campus.

In addition to Coach O'Brien's appearance and the Alumnus of the Year presentation, the Chapter will  award several scholarships to area Penn State students and present the  Men's and Women's Student Athlete of the Year Awards to two Worthington Scranton standouts.

This year's dinner will be held at Genetti's Manor in Dickson City at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10. Tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be purchased in advance.

For tickets and more information, call Penn State Worthington Scranton's Athletic Department at 963-2616 or 963-2611 or email [email protected] or EJameselliott@aolcom.